Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
Lottery & Registration Information
Greetings Wildcat families!
The Hancock Central School District is proud to, once again, offer a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for the 2025-2026 school year.
This special program is funded by a New York State Education Department (NYSED) grant and provides an early learning experience for the children of HCSD residents. Children enrolled in the district’s UPK program will attend class 5 days per week (8:00-2:34), for all 180 days of the educational year. This is the same schedule as Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade students.
In accordance with NYS regulations, the district will hold a lottery to determine who will be awarded the 18 available slots for the 2025-2026 school year. Lottery sign-ups for UPK will begin on Monday March 24th 2025 and continue through Friday, May 2nd 2025. If your student is selected, you will be notified by Friday May 9th, 2025.
If you have friends or neighbors with similarly-aged children, please feel free to share the following details with them as well. The Hancock Central School District has a vibrant academic program for our youngest students, designed to foster a love of learning that carries them all the way to graduation and beyond.
In planning ahead for registration, you will need the following:
1. Three (3) proofs of residency a PO box is not accepted as proof of residency
2. Your child’s birth certificate or passport
3. District Health form and any additional forms from your child's healthcare provider
4. Proof of immunizations
5. Any custody paperwork (if applicable).
UPK Application:
https://forms.gle/SiQtiHw3p6tXzXVu5
If you have questions about our UPK program, or need assistance, please contact the
Guidance office 607-637-1309
We look forward to partnering with parents to help our children succeed!
UPK PROGRAM OVERVIEW see the FAQ section for additional details
The 2024-25 UPK program is limited to children who turn four years old by December 1, 2025.
All children must be up-to-date with physical and vaccination requirements.
You must be a resident of the District to be eligible for the UPK program.
There is no cost to parents for the UPK program.
The UPK program follows the district’s September – June calendar, with 180 days of instruction. Children attend the UPK program for a full day, five days per week.
The District will not select students on a first-come, first-serve basis, students are selected by a lottery.
Only fully completed and approved applications/registrations received will be included in the selection process.
There is limited availability for the program based on grant funding and program space. 2025-2026 funding allows us to enroll 18 students. If we receive more than that number of applications, the district will conduct a random lottery to determine which children will participate. Lottery numbers 20 and greater will establish the UPK waiting list.
ALL applicants will be notified by Friday May 9th, 2025 as to whether their child was selected for a UPK slot or placed on the waiting list. Parents/guardians will be asked to confirm receipt of the email notification. If we do not receive confirmation from you that you received the email notification, we will attempt to reach you by phone. If you do not respond within three (3) business days, your child will be moved to the end of the waiting list.
Each child in a family is counted as an individual. The selection of one twin, triplet or sibling has no effect on the selection of other siblings during the lottery selection process.
UPK FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):
What is Universal Prekindergarten (UPK)?
UPK is a free preschool experience made possible through a grant from the New York
State Education Department (NYSED).
Is the UPK program free?
Yes, the cost of UPK tuition for those students chosen through the lottery selection are paid for by grants. There are no fees paid by the family for five days a week.
What days are the children off from school?
The UPK program follows the Hancock Central School District Student Calendar.
How long is the program?
The program is from 8:00am-2:34pm, Monday through Friday, for 180 days (per the district calendar).
Is the program run by the Hancock Central School District?
Yes, the UPK program is administered by the Hancock Central School District.
What if there is a custody situation regarding my child?
You must provide court documentation at time of registration.
What if my child has a severe allergy or other serious medical condition?
A medical history questionnaire and NYS school health examination form are required as part of the UPK application/registration. The Nurse reviews these forms; and if your child is selected, you will meet with the nurse during registration. Any serious medical condition must be reported directly to the Nurse.
What are the immunization requirements?
Children must receive all first, age/grade level appropriate doses, or overdue follow-up doses if they already received prior doses in a series, within 14 days from the first day of instruction for the school year, as well as provide evidence of age appropriate appointments for the next follow-up doses (in accordance with the ACIP schedule) within 30 days of the first day of attendance.
Is there a religious exemption for immunization requirements?
New York State no longer offers a religious exemption for immunizations.
Is there a medical exemption for immunization requirements?
Yes. A valid medical exemption must adhere to all of the following:
1. Must be submitted on a signed, completed medical exemption form issued by NYSDOH
2. Specify which immunizations may be detrimental to the child’s health
3. Contain sufficient information to determine if a medical contraindication to a specific immunization exists
4. Specify the length of time the immunization is medically contraindicated
5. Be reissued annually
Note: The UPK nurse may require additional information.
What is taught in the program?
All UPK providers that are contracted by the district must follow the New York State Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards and utilize the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum.